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Home | Family Fun Winter & Holiday Events in North Lake Tahoe

Family Fun Winter & Holiday Events in North Lake Tahoe

Photo: Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

North Lake Tahoe and its ski resorts are popular wintertime destinations for families from Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area. Make the most of your trip to the mountains with our guide to winter family events in the North Tahoe and Truckee areas. Some of these events require registration and/or fees, others may be weather dependent; follow the links to check the organizers' websites for details.

Events in Truckee

The town of Truckee hosts numerous fun events throughout the winter season, including holiday arts and crafts workshops, photo ops with Santa, and a holiday open house at Donner Memorial State Park.

Festive Fridays
Downtown Truckee
Friday, December 7, 14 & 21, 4–8 pm

Santa's Fly-In at Truckee Tahoe Airport
Truckee Tahoe Airport
Saturday, December 8, 10 am–1 pm

Elves Workshop
Community Arts Center, Truckee
Sunday, December 9, 10 am–3 pm

Donner Holiday Open House
Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee
Saturday, December 15, noon–4 pm

Events in Squaw Valley


Photo: Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Squaw Valley offers a wide variety of family-friendly events throughout the winter season, including their holiday Merry Days & Holly Nights from December 17–31, featuring performances, a Reindeer Games scavenger hunt, free mini train and horse-drawn sleigh rides, story time and brunch with Santa, and much more. Looks for Santa in the Village, the Ice Garden, and on the slopes!

The Twisted Nutcracker and the Tale of the Rat King
December 14, 15 & 16, 6–8:30 pm

Reindeer Games
December 17–23, 10 am–5 pm

Appearances by Santa
December 18–23, various times

Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
December 19–23, 2–5 pm

Ice Garden and Mini Train Rides
December 19–23, 2–5 pm

Santa Story Time
December 19–22, 3 pm

SVI Community Christmas Concert
Friday, December 21, 7:30–10 pm

Disco Tubing
December 22–March 23, 5–8 pm (check schedule for exact days)

Santa's Brunch
Sunday, December 23, 8:30 & 11 am

Farm-to-Table Dinner & Movie
Friday, December 28, 6–9 pm


Photo: Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

New Year's Eve Family Celebration
Monday, December 31, 2–9 pm

World's Largest Torchlight Parade
Monday, December 31, 5:45 pm

Winter Fireworks
Saturdays January 5–February 2, 7:30 pm

Team USA WinterFest
Saturday, January 13, 10 am–5 pm

Events at Tahoe Donner


Photo: Tahoe Donner

We love Tahoe Donner in Truckee for its laid-back, family-family friendly feel. They offer plenty of fun events for everyone this winter.

13th Annual Light Up the Night
Saturday, November 24

Friday Night Snow Tubing
Friday, December 14, January 4, and February 15, until 6:30 pm

Christmas Day Pancake Breakfast with Santa
Monday, December 25, 10 am

New Year's Eve Light Parade & Fireworks Show
Monday, December 31, 6:15 pm

Snowball Launching Contest
Saturday, January 12, 1:30 pm

Ski and Snowboarding Safety Weekend
Saturday–Monday, January 19–21

Winterpalooza
Saturday, January 26, 9:30 am–4:30 pm


Photo: Tahoe Donner

Winter Superstars Week
February 16–23

Glowstick Parade & Carnival
Saturday, February 23, 4:30 pm

Snowman Building Contest
Saturday, March 2, 2 pm

I-Did-A-Run Dog Pull Humane Society Fundraiser
Sunday, March 10

Snow Tube Bowling
Saturday, March 16, noon–2 pm

200-foot Banana Split Extravaganza
Saturday, March 16, 1:30 pm

Tahoe Donner Family Challenge
Sunday, March 17, noon

Events at Northstar California Resort


Photo: Vail Resorts

Families visiting Northstar California Resort have many fun winter events to choose from, from holiday activities to special snowshoe tours. This season, Noel Nights take place on Friday evenings, with free horse-drawn sleigh rides, face painting, photos with Santa, and more.

Northstar Silent Nights
Thursdays, November 29–December 20,

Noel Nights
Fridays, November 30–December 21, 5–8 pm

Breakfast with Santa
Monday, December 24, 8–10 am

S'Morey Time
December 27, January 21, February 21 & March 23

Friday Fun Nights
Fridays, December 28–April 5

S'Moresapalooza
December 29, January 19, February 23, 4 pm


Photo: Vail Resorts

Star Gazing Snowshoe Tours
December 29, January 5 & 26, February 9 & 23, 5 pm

Family Snowshoe Tours
December 25, January 1 & 14, February 18, 1–4 pm

New Year's Eve Celebration
Monday, December 31, 9 pm

Mountain Family Dinners
January 12, February 2, March 16,